Former Gov. Bob Riley, former state school board member Mary Jane Caylor and Calhoun Community College President Marilyn Beck formally break ground on Phase II of the Alabama Robotics Park last year. (The Huntsville Times/Eric Schultz)

DECATUR, Alabama -- The second phase of the Alabama Robotics Technology Park will have its grand opening on Aug. 24, Calhoun Community College and the Alabama Industrial Development Training announced today.

Gov. Robert Bentley and state Postsecondary Chancellor Freida Hill are expected to attend the grand opening. The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at the facility on Highway 31 across from Calhoun Community College in Limestone County.

The second phase -- an $8.3 million, 35,000 square foot facility -- will feature a test facility for companies in the robotics manufacturing industry.

The building will be used for the research, development and testing of leading edge robotics used for military projects, space exploration and other applications, according to Calhoun.

At the groundbreaking for Phase II last year, former Gov. Bob Riley said, "We want to make this robotics park one of the best in the world, and it's going to be."

Phase I celebrated its grand opening in November 2010 when the $17.6 million, 68,383 square foot Robotic Maintenance Training Center was unveiled.

Work has not yet begun on Phase III as officials try to secure funding for what would be the final part of the project.